DELTA, AIR FRANCE, ALITALIA TO COOPERATE ON MARKETING,SERVICES

DELTA, AIR FRANCE, ALITALIA TO COOPERATE ON MARKETING,SERVICES    Delta Air Lines, Air France and Alitalia said Monday they have signed a memorandum of understanding to enter exclusive talks on cooperating their marketing and service efforts, including cargo.
   The discussions are a first step to Alitalia's membership in the SkyTeam alliance, which also includes AeroMexico, Korean Air and Czech Airlines.
   Under the MOU, the airlines will work to cooperate on schedules, compatibility of information technology systems, exploration of cargo opportunities and sharing facilities and passenger handling in jointly served cities. Delta and Alitalia also said they'll seek opportunities to codeshare on each other's transatlantic services and on services between their hubs.